Through Ramadan Gifts, Muhammadiyah Strengthens Disabled Persons and Farmers Towards Self-Reliance
Disabled persons and members of the Muhammadiyah Farmer Association (Jatam) supported by the Community Empowerment Board (MPM) of Muhammadiyah’s Central Leadership (PP) received Ramadan gifts on Sunday afternoon, 8 March.
The Ramadan gifts were distributed to eleven support groups: Jatam, KSP Ngaglik Disabled Persons’ Bank, Jatam Bejen (TelorMoe), Gading, Gerkatin, Sugar Ant Farmers and SMEs in Kokap, Ngoro-oro SMEs in Gunungkidul, Mardiko Waste Processing, Asongan, and Becak Pabelan.
M. Nurul Yamin, Chair of MPM PP Muhammadiyah, explained that community empowerment is an effort to reduce dependency and create self-reliance through empowerment activities, including Ramadan-based initiatives for sharing. “Several Muhammadiyah-supported groups through the MPM have begun transforming into self-reliant communities, as demonstrated by their awareness to share with others by providing zakat and alms channelled through LAZISMU PP,” Yamin said at Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta’s (UMY) integrated campus.
He noted that the activity was attended by more than 600 participants from both support groups and beneficiary families. Tracing the roots of this empowerment movement, Yamin explained, reveals its continuity with the Al Ma’un movement conducted by Ahmad Dahlan. The empowerment drive aims to revitalise and leverage communities towards empowerment and self-reliance.
Beyond rural farmers and urban poor communities, Yamin added, MPM PP Muhammadiyah also empowers communities in 3T (remote, underdeveloped, and frontier) areas. Examples include clean water access initiatives in East Nusa Tenggara and the empowerment of the Warmon Kokoda ethnic group in Sorong, West Papua, which has transitioned from nomadic to settled living.
“They have now become a modern village recognised by the village government, enabling them to achieve greater self-reliance and transform from their previous nomadic lifestyle to a progressive settlement,” Yamin said.
UMY Vice Rector Faris Al Fadhat appreciated these tactical and strategic steps for community empowerment as a concrete manifestation of Muhammadiyah’s commitment to serving disadvantaged and marginalised communities. “Amidst uncertain economic pressures threatening lower-income communities, Muhammadiyah’s empowerment movement through the MPM represents a tangible action to strengthen the people,” he stated.
As a Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Education Institution (PTMA), UMY pledged its commitment to support and align with Muhammadiyah’s community empowerment initiatives.
Gratitude was extended by PT Danone Indonesia, represented by Karyanto Wibowo. Having established synergy with MPM PP Muhammadiyah three years ago, the company expressed that it has been enlightened by Muhammadiyah’s empowerment efforts. “Over three years of collaboration, we have witnessed remarkable cooperation and significant impact. We hope to continue strengthening this collaboration between the private sector and the MPM going forward,” he stated.
The activity was conducted through collaboration between MPM PP Muhammadiyah, Lazismu Pusat, UMY, Unisa Yogyakarta, Madrasah Mu’allimin, PT Danone Indonesia, ICMI DIY, ISEI DIY, Maybank Syariah, and Zurich Syariah.